St. Thomas softball lost 4-1 to North Dakota in the final game of the regular season on May 2 at South Field in St. Paul, Minnesota. The match was described as a pitchers’ duel, with Mya Tautges delivering one of her strongest performances of the year by working into the seventh inning.
The Tommies scored first for the only time in the series when Laken Lienhard crossed home plate during a double play in the opening frame. However, that would be their only run of the game after Ella Cook hit a sharp ground ball resulting in two outs.
Tautges kept North Dakota hitless through four innings and maintained a shutout until the fifth, when North Dakota managed to score. She finished her outing allowing two earned runs on three hits, four walks, and six strikeouts before being relieved by Cook in the seventh inning. Cook allowed two more hits, including an RBI double and a two-run single that extended North Dakota’s lead.
In their last opportunity at bat while trailing 4-1, Zoe Trotter drew a walk but could not advance further as St. Thomas went down in order to end the game.
Despite this loss, St. Thomas secured second place in Summit League standings and will avoid single-elimination play at the start of their tournament run. This is also notable as it marks their first eligibility for postseason competition.
